BLUES' PEST IMPROVES HIS SKILLS
NASH NOW SCORING GOALS, KILLING PENALTIES
Author: Norm Sanders
© Belleville News-Democrat, The (IL)
December 20, 2000
ST. LOUIS --- Like a new toy with batteries that never run low,
Tyson Nash burst onto the NHL scene last season and managed to tick
off nearly every team the St. Louis Blues played.
Whether he was delivering checks, one-liners or goading the
opposition into penalties, Nash had his nose in the middle of
something.
"There's still a lot of talk going on out there," Nash said with
a grin, the same one that bedevils opponents. "Maybe not as much,
but I still get the feeling that guys want to kill me --- and that's
my job."
Nash, 25, earned an NHL job by sacrificing his body on every
shift. Now that he's here, the winger has added offensive skills to
his repertoire.
In 28 games, the 25-year-old Edmonton native has five goals and
nine points. He had only four goals and 13 points in 66 games a year
ago.
"He's getting more ice time now, and he's being rewarded for his
play last year," Blues winger Scott Young said. "He still plays
really hard and shows up every night. That's been his trademark, but
now he's being put out there in important situations --- killing
penalties and getting lots of ice time."
Nash enjoys the responsibilities of penalty-killing.
"It's been a lot of fun, and Craig Conroy has definitely helped
me out in that department," Nash said. "The extra ice time has
probably been the biggest factor. Last year, when I played six or
seven minutes a game, it was tough to feel good or get any kind of
momentum going."
Nash averages just under 12 minutes a game. A talk with Blues
coach Joel Quenneville before the season began opened Nash's eyes to
the possibilities of improving his skills.
"They told me instead of always looking for the big hit when you
do get the puck, try to make a play with it," he said. "Take it to
the net instead of just running around trying to hit everybody."
Not that he shies away from hitting --- or yapping at opponents,
a few of which he continues to battle.
"Steve Yzerman and I didn't see eye-to-eye all year, so he was a
fun guy to play against," said Nash, who a year ago termed Yzerman's
punches as "throwing pillows at me."
"San Jose had a few guys like (Jeff) Norton and Owen Nolan. You
try to do your job, but that's a part of my job I definitely enjoy."
Nash drew less penalties toward the end of last season and was
watched closely by referees.
"You never want to embarrass a referee by diving, or making it so
obvious that you're trying to get them to make a bad call," he said.
"At the same time, you try to work hard and keep your legs moving.
That's how you create penalties.
"My goal is to become a more complete player, someone that's put
out there in key situations."
Quenneville said Nash is among the team's most consistent
performers. The winger also has scaled back his penalty minutes
after leading the team with 150 last season. He ranks third behind
Reed Low (99) and Chris Pronger (53).
"His overall game has improved immensely, and I think his ice
time speaks about what he's given us," said Quenneville, who
believes that energy helped Nash land a spot on the penalty-kill
unit. "There's a thought process there and some patience to his
game. That's been a big plus for us, knowing he can coming in and
kill penalties. He's not just one-dimensional."
Nash is popular with Blues fans, some of whom have donned his No.
9 sweater. He writes local restaurant reviews on the Blues' Web site
and rarely passes up a chance to participate in the team's charity
functions.
"It's hard to explain what kind of feeling it is when you see
someone up in the stands wearing your jersey," he said. "It's a big
thrill, and I'm glad to be part of a winning team and a great
organization."
Some have compared Nash to Detroit's Pat Verbeek, who is referred
to as the "Little Ball of Hate." But Quenneville thinks Nash may be
something of a hybrid.
"He's tough to compare (people) to. I don't have a guy; I was
asked that this summer, and I didn't have an answer."
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